Närke Facts for Kids

Närke is a historical province located right in the middle of Sweden. It's like a traditional region with a long and interesting past. The older spelling, Nerike, is still used today in the name of a local newspaper called Nerikes Allehanda.

Where is Närke?
- Size and Population
Nature and Animals
- Provincial Symbols
History of Närke
Images for kids
See also

Where is Närke?

Närke is part of a larger area in Sweden called Svealand. Most of Närke is located within Örebro County. Smaller parts of the province also extend into Västmanland County and Södermanland County.

Size and Population

Närke covers an area of about 4,122 square kilometers (about 1,592 square miles). This makes it one of Sweden's smaller provinces. As of 2009, around 195,414 people lived in Närke.

Nature and Animals

Närke is home to a variety of plants and animals. Each historical province in Sweden has its own special symbols from nature.

Provincial Symbols

Flower: The official flower of Närke is the beautiful Cowslip. It has bright yellow flowers that often appear in spring.
Animal: The special animal for Närke is the Hazel dormouse. These small, cute rodents are known for being very sleepy and spending a lot of time hibernating.
Bird: The bird that represents Närke is the Ortolan bunting, also known as the Yellow bunting. It's a small bird with a distinctive song.
Fish: The official fish of Närke is the Pike. Pikes are large, predatory fish found in many lakes and rivers.

History of Närke

Närke has a long history, dating back many centuries. Like other historical provinces in Sweden, it played a role in the country's development. Over time, these provinces became more like cultural regions rather than administrative ones.